Upcoming small car launches in India in 2012

The hatchbacks are the most sought-after cars in the Indian car industry. The low-priced new cars with remarkable fuel efficiency is all required to set the car sales zooming high. Today, 60% of the market share is gained by the small cars segment ruling the domestic car market without leaving any scope for sedans or SUVs to gain an upper hand. More than ever, year 2012 is packed with series of launches from almost every small car manufacturer in the country including the renowned global car manufacturers like Volkswagen, Renault and BMW envisaging to mark an entry in the hatchback segment. 

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The German car manufacturer, Volkswagen is determined to uproot the rivals presence in its stride with the launch of the cheapest small car from its fleet, Volkswagen Up!. Carrying forward the rich Volkswagen heritage deeply embedded to its core, the auto major is expected to launch Volkswagen Up! at Rs 3.5 lakhs to leave its competitors green with envy. The French luxury car manufacturer has recently unveiled their much anticipated small car Renault Pulse recently, which will be unshackled at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo. Emphasizing on the successful partnership of Nissan-Renault, Renault India is introducing the Pulse hatchback as a rebranded version of Nissan Micra. The new hatchback adorns a sportier look over its parent hatch and is expected to create a revolution in the market at a price of Rs 6 lakhs.

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The cheapest car and the pride of Tata Motors is all set to create sensation yet again. The leading car manufacturer is working towards launching a diesel variant of Tata Nano to cater to the increasing demand for diesel cars in India. The small car in the diesel disguise is expected to bring reverberations in the market with the potential to deliver a class leading fuel economy of 30 kmpl. The Tata Nano diesel price is likely to be placed at Rs 2.25 lakhs. Country’s largest car manufacturer, Maruti India is eyeing to bring back the lost glory with the launch of new Maruti 800 meeting the latest BSIV emission norms. The Maruti 800 had been phased out from the BSIV cities retaining it in the BS III cities, the auto major wishes to renew its image in the A segment hatchbacks. The new Maruti 800 is likely to be introduced in early 2012 at an enticing price tag of Rs 2 lakhs.

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Chevrolet Sonic is another car to occupy a berth in the B segment of the car market after Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Beat, which have created nothing short of an uproar among the consumers. After General Motors recent debut in small car segment, the auto major is all set to prove their prowess once again. Chevrolet Sonic with ample interior space to offer is carving its way into the market by mid-2012 at an extremely competitive price tag of Rs 5 lakhs. Despite the lukewarm success of Ford Fiesta Sedan, Ford India is positively looking forward to test the waters in the hatchback segment with its ever so stylish appeal carrying on the Ford Fiesta hatchback. Bearing the premium price tag of Rs 7 lakhs, the tastefully designed hatchback is destined to carve a niche in the segment leaving its rivals tongue-tied.

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Maruti India has done some basic groundwork and strategic planning this time around to launch the diesel variant of Maruti Wagon R to capitalise on the lack of diesel cars in the low-priced small car segment. Maruti Wagon R will be the first diesel car from Maruti India at the entry-level hatchback segment, as the Maruti cars are completely devoid of a diesel engine until the range of Maruti Swift or Maruti Ritz. Maruti Wagon R diesel is expected to break free of its bondage in front of the consumers at an attractive price tag of Rs 4 lakhs by mid-2012. The French car manufacturer, Renault is delving into deeper waters in the hatchback segment with yet another launch in the hatchback segment in form of Renault Sandero. Inheriting the premium looks from larger than life image of Renault’s product portfolio, the new hatchback Renault Sandero will be launched at an astonishingly low price of Rs 5 lakhs to compete aggressively against the leading hatchbacks Hyundai i10 and Ford Figo.

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